The Press Box.

Belle Sued Over Halloween Incident

January 06, 1996

CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Indians' Albert Belle is being sued for more than $850,000 by the guardian of a teenager accused of egging the outfielder's home on Halloween.

The 16-year-old Cleveland Heights boy contended Belle gave chase in a Ford Explorer and bumped into him after Belle's home was hit with eggs by trick-or-treaters. Belle was charged with reckless operation for chasing after the boys and was fined $100.

Police in suburban Richmond Heights did not charge Belle with assault, saying they could find no injuries on the teenager who said he was hit by Belle's car.

The boy's guardian, Sandra Abdul-Razzaaq of Cleveland Heights, filed suit contending Belle "acted in an outrageous manner" and "exceeded all possible bounds of decency" by chasing the boys and hitting the teenager with his car. The lawsuit said the boy's back, neck, left knee and right leg were hurt. Four teenagers were charged with delinquency for the egging.

Jose Feliciano, a Cleveland lawyer who previously represented Belle in the matter, said Friday he did not know if he would represent him in the lawsuit.